Method and device for playing a game using a grid

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a method for playing a card game using a grid in which game pieces are placed in a grid configuration. Hands are selected from the game pieces. A value is determined from the selected hand. For example, the grid configuration can include a triangular grid configuration, square grid configuration, outer square grid configuration, right angle triangular grid configuration, diamond grid configuration or stacked grid configuration. In one embodiment, rows of game pieces are individually added by rows to determine a grid configuration. In one embodiment a grid configuration includes one or more rows places around an inner or outer circle. In one embodiment, a hand can be selected from three game pieces having each of the game pieces adjacent to another game piece. A betting board can be used with the game.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/265,625, filed Nov. 2, 2005, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference into this application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to games, such as a game in which a grid is used for distribution of game pieces.

2. Description of Related Art

Variations in card games using card point values are known. In games such as black jack, a point value of cards is each player's hand is added together to determine the value of the hand after the player had the opportunity to be dealt additional cards. Different hands are compared to determine the winning hand, such as comparing the hand against the dealer hand.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,632,486 describes a method of playing a card game using a card number subtracting technique in which cards of the playing deck are assigned numerical point values. Eights, nines and tens are removed from the standard deck to establish a deck of forty cards. Each numbered card is assigned its point value. Each ace is assigned a value of one. Each face card is assigned a value of zero. Two cards are initially dealt to each player with each player having the option of receiving a third card. If a third card is dealt, one of the cards is discarded. The hands are compared to determine a winning hand as the hand in which the point value difference between the two cards in the hand is closest to zero.

It is desirable to provide a game for enhancing a player's interest.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a method for playing a card game using a grid in which game pieces are placed in a grid configuration. Hands are selected from the game pieces. A value is determined from the selected hand. For example, the grid configuration can include a triangular grid configuration, square grid configuration, outer square grid configuration, right angle triangular grid configuration, diamond grid configuration, rectangular grid configuration or stacked grid configuration. The game pieces can be placed in a face-up position which reveals the value of the game piece or a face down position which does not reveal the value of the game piece. In one embodiment, a hand can be selected from three game pieces having each of the game pieces adjacent to another game piece. The game pieces can be, for example, a conventional deck of cards, Mah Jongg tiles, dice or dominoes. Players can play either against each other or the dealer with a hand having the highest value being determined by the dealer or the players.

In one embodiment, hands of game pieces can be interlocking in which at least one of the hands has a game piece in common with another one of said hands. In an alternate embodiment, hands of game pieces can be non-interlocking in which each of the hands care individual and do not have any game pieces in common with another hand.

In one embodiment, the grid configuration is determined during play by one or more players determined as a shooter adding game pieces to an initial grid configuration. Play against more than one player can continue in a survivor fashion with the loser's hand leaving the game on each round until only one player remains. A betting board can be used with the game.

In one embodiment, rows of game pieces are individually added to determine a grid configuration. Hands are determined from adjacent game pieces of the rows. A common game piece can be used in each of the hands.

In one embodiment a grid configuration includes one or more rows places around an inner or outer circle. The inner circle and/or outer circle can spin to determine alternate hands of game pieces. Hands are determined from adjacent game pieces of the rows.

The invention will be more fully described by reference to the following drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of a method for playing a game.

FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram of a triangular grid configuration for game pieces.

FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram of a triangular grid configuration for game pieces including a representation of possible hands.

FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram of a square grid configuration for game pieces.

FIG. 3B is a schematic diagram of a square grid configuration for game pieces including a representation of possible hands.

FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram of an outer square grid configuration for game pieces.

FIG. 4B is a schematic diagram of an outer square grid configuration for game pieces after placement of a game piece in the center.

FIG. 5A is a schematic diagram of a hexagonal grid configuration for game pieces.

FIG. 5B is a schematic diagram of a right angle triangular grid configuration for game pieces.

FIG. 5C is a schematic diagram of a diamond grid configuration for game pieces.

FIG. 5D is a schematic diagram of a stacked grid configuration for game pieces.

FIG. 6A is a schematic diagram of an initial grid configuration.

FIG. 6B is a schematic diagram of the grid configuration of FIG. 6A during play.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a rectangular configuration of game pieces.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a plurality of rectangular grid configurations for game pieces.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a betting board and controller used for selection of hand from a grid configuration.

FIG. 10A is a schematic diagram of a grid upon placement of a first row.

FIG. 10B is a schematic diagram of a grid upon placement of a second row.

FIG. 10C is a schematic diagram of a grid upon placement of a third row.

FIG. 11A is a schematic diagram of a grid upon placement of a first row.

FIG. 11B is a schematic diagram of a grid upon placement of a second row.

FIG. 11C is a schematic diagram of a grid upon placement of a third row.

FIG. 11D is a schematic diagram of a grid upon placement of a third row after spinning of the outer circle and inner circle.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a betting board used with a grid configuration of FIG. 11C.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in greater detail to a preferred embodiment of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.

FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of a method for playing a game using grid 10. In block 12, game pieces are placed in a grid configuration. For example, game pieces 21 can be from a conventional deck of cards or ten cards or subset thereof, such as an ace, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine or ten. In an alternate embodiment, Mah Jongg tiles can be used as game pieces. A number of Mah Jongg tiles are dealt to a player. Each of the Mah Jongg tiles is assigned the same point value as the values on the face of the Mah Jongg tiles.

Alternatively, the game pieces can be one or more dominoes or die. The assigned point values of the game pieces are determined by the corresponding numbers of dots or numbers on the game pieces. In one embodiment, a predetermined number of dice are rolled for each player. For example, the number of dice can be two through six die. For example, game pieces 21 can be placed by a dealer into the grid configuration. The pattern of the grid configuration is selected to determine a number of hands.

Referring to FIG. 2A, for example, game pieces can be placed in triangular grid configuration 20. Each game piece 21 is placed in triangular grid configuration 20 in either a face-up position which reveals the value of the game piece or a face-down position which does not reveal the value of the game piece. In one embodiment, at least one game piece 21 is placed in a face-up position and at least one game piece 21 is placed in a face-down position. In one embodiment, game pieces 21 are placed in a face-up position at corner positions 22 a, 22 b and 22 f, and game pieces 21 are placed in a face-down position at middle positions 22 b, 22 c and 22 e. Game pieces 21 which are placed in the face-up position can be placed first in triangular grid configuration 20 and game pieces to be placed in the face-down position can be placed in triangular grid configuration 20 after the placement of game pieces 21 which are placed in a face-up position. Alternatively, game pieces 21 which are placed in the face-down position can be placed first in triangular grid configuration 20 and game pieces to be placed in the face-up position can be placed in triangular grid configuration 20.

Referring to FIG. 1, in block 14, one or more players select a hand of game pieces from the grid configuration. The hand of game pieces can be determined from game pieces 21 which are adjacent to at least one other game piece 21 or from game pieces 21 which are not adjacent to one another. Referring to FIG. 2B, for triangular grid configuration 20, six game pieces 21 are used to provide hands of three game pieces 21. For example, this grid configuration can be used to play a three card poker game. Example hands include a first hand formed of game pieces 21 in positions 22 a, 22 b and 22 d along diagonal 24 a. A second hand can be formed of game pieces 21 in positions 22 a, 22 c and 22 f along diagonal 24 b. A third hand can be formed of game pieces 21 in positions 22 a, 22 b and 22 c adjacent corner 25 a. A fourth hand can be formed of game pieces 21 in positions 22 d, 22 b and 22 e adjacent corner 25 b. A fifth hand can be formed of game pieces 21 in positions 22 f, 22 c and 22 e adjacent corner 25 c. A sixth hand can be formed of game pieces 21 in positions 22 d, 22 e and 22 f along horizontal row 26. A seventh hand can be formed of game pieces 21 in positions 22 a, 22 b and 22 e along diagonals 27 a and 27 b. An eighth hand can be formed of game pieces 21 in positions 22 a, 22 c and 22 e along diagonals 28 a and 28 b. A ninth hand can be formed of game piece 21 in position 22 a in corner 25 a, game piece 21 in position 22 d in corner 25 b and game piece 21 in position 22 f in corner 25 c.

Referring to FIG. 1, in block 16, a value is determined for each selected hand. For example, each hand can be matched to a value determined from conventional card game values, such as a straight flush, three of a kind, straight, flush, pair or high card. Card values can be ordered from highest to lowest. In one embodiment, a numerical value can be determined for each value of a conventional card game. For example, a value of ten can be assigned to a straight flush, a value of seven can be assigned to a three of a kind, a value of five can be assigned to a straight, a value of four can be assigned to a flush, a value of three can be assigned to a pair and a value of one can be assigned to a high card. Players can play either against each other or the dealer with a hand having the highest value being determined the winner by the dealer or the players.

In one embodiment, a bonus wager can be placed during block 14. One of the hands can be selected to have a bonus feature before selection of the hand for play. Thereafter, the same hand as having the bonus feature or a different hand can be selected for play in block 16. Alternatively, a bonus wager can be made on a certain combination of game pieces 21 which can be determined from one of hands. For example, the certain combination of game pieces can be three of a kind. If the selected hand includes the bonus feature, the player is a winner.

FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram of an alternate embodiment including square grid configuration 30. Game pieces 21 are placed in square grid configuration 30 in either a face-up position which reveals the value of game pieces 21 or a face-down position which does not reveal the value of game pieces 21. In one embodiment, game pieces 21 are placed in a face-up position at corner positions 32 a, 32 c, 32 g and 32 i and center position 32 e. Game pieces 21 are placed in a face-down position at positions 32 b, 32 d, 32 f, and 32 h. For example, game pieces 21 which are to be positioned face-up can be placed in square grid configuration 30 first and thereafter game pieces to be positioned face-down can be placed in square grid configuration 30.

Hands of game pieces 21 can be determined from game pieces 21 positioned three in a row along a diagonal, vertical or horizontal row, as shown in FIG. 3B. A first hand can be formed of game pieces 21 in positions 32 a, 32 b and 32 c along horizontal row 34 a. A second hand can be formed of game pieces 21 in positions 32 d, 32 e and 32 f along horizontal row 34 b. A third hand can be formed of game pieces 21 in positions 32 g, 32 h, and 32 i along horizontal row 34 c. A fourth hand can be formed of game pieces 21 in positions 32 a, 32 d, and 32 g along vertical row 35 a. A fifth hand can be formed of game pieces 21 in positions 32 b, 32 e, and 32 h along vertical row 35 b. A sixth hand can be formed of game pieces 21 in positions 32 c, 32 f, and 32 i along vertical row 35 c. A seventh hand can be formed of game pieces 21 in positions 32 a, 32 e, and 32 i along diagonal row 36 a. An eighth hand can be formed of game pieces 21 in positions 32 c, 32 e and 32 g along diagonal row 36 b. Alternatively, game piece can be determined from three game pieces 21 positioned at any location in square grid configuration 30.

In an alternate embodiment, game pieces 21 are placed in a face-up position at positions 32 a, 32 d and 32 g of vertical row 35 a and at positions 32 b and 32 h. In this embodiment, the first hand formed of game pieces along horizontal row 34 a and the third hand formed of game pieces along horizontal row 34 c have two game pieces 21 positioned face-up and one game piece 21 positioned face-down. The fourth hand formed of game pieces along vertical row 35 a has all game pieces 21 positioned face-up. The sixth hand formed of game pieces along vertical row 35 c has all game pieces 21 positioned face-down. The second hand formed of game pieces along horizontal row 34 b, the seventh hand formed of game pieces along diagonal row 36 a and the eighth hand formed of game pieces along diagonal row 36 b have one game piece 21 positioned face-up and two game pieces 21 positioned face-down.

In an alternate embodiment, game pieces 21 are placed in a face-up position at position 32 a, 32 d and 32 g of vertical row 35 a and at position 32 e. In this embodiment, the first hand formed of game pieces along horizontal row 34 a and the third hand formed of game pieces along horizontal row 34 c have one game piece 21 positioned face-up. The fourth hand formed of game pieces along vertical row 35 a has all game pieces 21 positioned face-up. The sixth hand formed of game pieces along vertical row 35 c has all game pieces 21 positioned face-down. The second hand formed of game pieces along horizontal row 34 b, the seventh hand formed of game pieces along diagonal row 36 a and the eighth hand formed of game pieces along diagonal row 36 b has two game pieces 21 positioned face-up.

In an alternate embodiment, additional hands can be formed of game pieces adjacent to corner 37 a, 37 b, 37 c or 37 d. For example, a hand can be formed of game pieces 32 a, 32 b, and 32 d or 32 a, 32 b, and 32 e which are adjacent to corner 37 a. Additional hands can also be formed adjacent to center 38. For example, hands can be formed of game pieces 32 b, 32 e and 32 d; 32 b, 32 e and 32 f, 32 c, 32 e and 32 f; 32 e, 32 f and 32 h; or 32 d, 32 e and 32 h. Alternatively, a hand can be formed of three game pieces in any of positions 32 a-32 h.

FIG. 4A is an alternate embodiment including outer square grid configuration 40 in either a face-up position which reveals the value of game pieces 21 or a face-down position which does not reveal the value of game pieces 21. In one embodiment, game pieces 21 are placed in a face-up position at corner positions 32 a, 32 c, 32 g and 32 i. Game pieces 21 are placed in a face-down position at positions 32 b, 32 d, 32 f and 32 h. For example, game pieces 21 which are to be positioned face-up can be placed in outer square grid configuration 40 first and thereafter game pieces to be positioned face-down can be placed in outer square grid configuration 40. During play, after block 16 is performed, game piece 21 is placed in center position 32 e in a face-down position, as shown in FIG. 4B. Blocks 14 and 16 are repeated to allow a player an opportunity to select another hand for a second round and determine if the value of the selected hand in the second round is greater than the value of the hand which was the highest during the first round of the game.

Alternative grid configurations 50-80, shown in FIGS. 5A-5D, can be used with the method for playing a game using a grid 20. Hands can be determined from three or more adjacent game pieces 21 positioned in any of grid configurations 50-80. For example, hands can be determined for four card poker, five card poker, six card poker or seven card poker.

Game pieces 21 can be placed in hexagonal grid configuration 50 in either a face-up position which reveals the value of game pieces 21 or a face-down position which does not reveal the value of game pieces 21.

Game pieces 21 can be placed in right angle triangular grid configuration 60 in either a face-up position which reveals the value of game pieces 21 or a face-down position which does not reveal the value of game pieces 21.

Game pieces 21 can be placed in diamond grid configuration 70 in either a face-up position which reveals the value of game pieces 21 or a face-down position which does not reveal the value of game pieces 21.

Game pieces 21 can be placed in stacked grid configuration 80 in either a face-up position which reveals the value of game pieces 21 or a face-down position which does not reveal the value of game pieces 21. Stacked grid configuration 80 can include one or more game pieces in each of rows 82 a-82 c.

In one embodiment, a grid configuration is determined during play as shown in FIG. 6A. Initial grid configuration 90 includes game pieces in a face-up position at positions 92 a, 92 b, 92 c, and 92 e. Game piece 21 is placed in a face-down position at position 92 d. Alternate embodiments can include game piece 21 in a face-up position in at least one of positions 92 a-92 e of initial grid configuration 90 and game pieces 21 in a face-down position in at least one of positions 92 a-92 e of initial grid configuration 90. A player is selected as a shooter. The player can be selected either by the dealer, by volunteering or by chance, using, for example, a spinner or dice. The player selected as the shooter can indicate the position for the dealer to place the next game piece 21. For example, the next game piece can be placed in a face-up position. The next face-up game piece 21 can be selected to be placed in one of positions 92 f, 92 g, 92 h or 92 i. For example, the next face-up game piece 21 can be selected to be placed in position 92 g, as shown in FIG. 6B. Thereafter, the dealer fills in initial grid configuration 90 by placing face-down game pieces 21 at positions 92 f, 92 h and 92 i. A first player selects a hand of game pieces 21. The hand can be selected from adjacent game pieces 21 as described above for the square grid configuration 30. After the first player selects one of the hands, additional players and/or the dealer can select remaining hands. The player with the hand having the highest value is determined the winner in block 16. The player that is determined the winner can be selected as the shooter for the next game. Play can continue in a survivor fashion with a player having a hand with the lowest point value leaving the game on each round until only one player remains.

Alternatively, a number can be assigned to each of the hands in one of the grid configurations. A dice or spinner can be used by each player to select one or the assigned numbers for a hand in one of the above-described grid configurations. Thereafter, the hand matching the assigned number is played by the player.

FIG. 7 is an alternate embodiment, including rectangular grid configuration 100. A predetermined number of vertical rows 100 a-100 n are used to determine a predetermined number of hands. Game pieces 21 are placed in a rectangular grid configuration 100 in either a face-up position which reveals the value of game pieces 21 or a face-down position which does not reveal the value of game pieces 21. A hand comprises three game pieces in one of vertical rows 100 a-100 n. In alternate embodiments, additional game pieces 21 can be placed in each of vertical rows 100 a-100 n to determine the number of game pieces 21 for each hand, for example, hands of four or five game pieces can be used.

FIG. 8 is an alternate embodiment in which rectangular grid configurations 100 a-100 d are used to play a game similar to Pi Guo Poker. Game piece 21 can be placed in a face-up position or face-down position in each of grid configurations 100 a-100 d. It will be appreciated that additional grid configurations 100 can be dealt depending on the number of players to play the game. A five game piece hand is selected from game pieces 21 positioned in one of the horizontal rows 100 a or 100 b in one of grid configuration 100 a-100 d. A two game piece hand is selected from game pieces 21 positioned in one of vertical rows 100 a-100 e from one of grid configurations 100 a-100 d which can be the same or different grid configurations as selected for the five game piece hand. A player is determined a winner if both the selected five game piece hand and the selected two game piece hand have the highest value of the selected hands. Alternatively, a player is determined a winner if with the selected five game piece hand or the selected two game piece hand is determined as having the highest value of the other selected hands. In an alternate embodiment, hands can be formed of two or more game pieces 21 positioned in any location in one of grid configurations 40-90.

In an alternate embodiment, one or more players are each dealt a hand of game pieces 21. Each hand of game pieces 21 can be dealt from a different set or deck of game pieces 21. Accordingly, each player can be assigned an individual set or deck of game pieces 21. For example, the hand of game pieces 21 can comprise three, four, five or six game pieces 21. Alternate hands of more or less game pieces can be used in various games. Referring to block 12, each of the players can place each of the dealt game pieces in any position in one of the grid configurations described above. For example, a grid configuration, such as square grid configuration 30, can be selected by the dealer and the same grid configuration is used by all players. The dealt game pieces 21 can be placed in a face-up position. After the player places game pieces 21 in the grid configuration, the dealer places game pieces 21 from the deck assigned to the player for each position in the grid configuration without a game piece to complete the grid configuration. Game pieces 21 can be placed by the dealer in a face-down position. Block 14 is performed to allow the player to select a hand from the determined grid configuration. For example, a player can be dealt five game pieces 21, such as cards, from an individual deck. The player places the five game pieces in square grid configuration 30 to provide a hand with a highest value. The dealer completes the grid configuration by placing four game pieces from the same individual deck of the player into the grid configuration.

In each of grid configurations 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70 or 80, 90 or 100 hands of game pieces 21 can be interlocking in which at least one of the hands has game piece 21 in common with another one of the hands. In an alternate embodiment, hands of game pieces can be non-interlocking in which each of the hands are individual and do not have any game piece 21 in common with another hand.

In one embodiment, a player or dealer determines if hands of game pieces include interlocking game pieces or non-interlocking game pieces. In one embodiment, a player can place a bet on either hands which have interlocking game pieces or hands which have non-interlocking game pieces.

Betting can take place using betting board 200, as shown in FIG. 9. Betting board 200 can be a gaming table. A dealer places game pieces 21 on dealer board 202 in one of grid configurations 20-100 described above according to block 12. In one embodiment, dealer board 202 is mechanically and/or electronically activated. Alternatively, dealer board 202 can be a video display and game pieces 21 are randomly selected and displayed on the video display. For example, if a square grid configuration 30 is used, arrows 204 adjacent dealer board 202 are illuminated to indicate possible hands. Each player selects a hand in block 14 using controllers 205 a-205 n. Controllers 205 a-205 n include a video display having touch surface 206 marked with positions 207 a-207 i of game pieces 21 corresponding to positions 32 a-32 i of the selected grid configuration on dealer board 202. Positions 32 a-32 i in the grid configuration can be selected with controller 205 by selecting corresponding positions 201 a-207 i and each position 207 a-207 i after selection is illuminated or marked to determine the hand. In one embodiment, positions 207 a-207 i are marked with an “X”. For example, controller 205 a can be used to select positions 207 a, 207 b and 207 c to form a hand. A player places a bet in betting location 208 before or after selection of a hand. Controller 205 a-205 n can also be used to select a bonus feature for a hand of game pieces in positions 207 a-207 i. The bonus feature can be selected before the dealer places game pieces on dealer board 202. For example, controller 205 a can be used to select positions 207 g, 207 h and 207 i to form a hand for a bonus feature. In one embodiment, positions 207 a-207 i which are selected to have the bonus feature are marked with a circle. Selected hands can be displayed on respective controllers 205 a-205 n and/or on dealer board 202. After the hand is displayed, the hand and bet cannot be changed until dealer board 202 and controller 205 a-205 n are reset. Block 16 is performed to determine a value for each selected hand. In one embodiment, dealer board 202 includes processing capability for determining the value of the selected hand. A player wins if their hand has the highest determined point value and the player earns a predetermined payout. For example, the payout can be equal to the amount bet or can be greater than the amount bet, such as paying out 3 to 1 odds. In one embodiment, the payout is based on the value of the hand. In one embodiment, the predetermined payout can be based on whether a hand having interlocking game pieces or a hand having non-interlocking game pieces is selected. In one embodiment, the odds of winning the game may be made more in favor of the house. For example, a winning player will be paid less than the true odds of the bet in order to allow the house or casino to profit from hosting the game. In another embodiment, the house can take a commission on all winning players, for example, 5% of the winnings. In one embodiment, the game is played in a casino. Alternatively the game can be played on a video machine or over the Internet.

In an alternate embodiment, rows of game pieces 21 are individually added to determine a grid configuration, as shown in FIGS. 10A-10C. Row 301 is first added to grid configuration 300, as shown in FIG. 10A. Row 301 can include pairs of game pieces 21 placed in adjacent positions 302 a, 302 b, 302 c, 302 d, through 302 n. One game piece of each of pairs of game pieces 21 are used in a hand to be formed in grid configuration 300. Thereafter, row 303 is added to grid configuration 300, as shown in FIG. 10B. Game piece 21 at position 304 a is combined with one of game pieces 21 adjacent to position 304 a at either positions 302 a and 302 b to form separate hands, as shown in FIG. 10B. Game pieces 21 at position 304 b is combined with one of game pieces 21 at adjacent positions 302 c and 302 d to form separate hands. Game pieces 21 at position 304 n is combined with one of game pieces 21 at adjacent positions 302 m and 302 n to form separate hands. Thereafter, row 305 is added to grid configuration 300, as shown in FIG. 10C. Game piece 21 placed in row 305 is used in each of the hands as a common game piece, as shown in dotted line.

In one embodiment, a player closest to grid configuration 300 is assigned a respective hand from positions 302 a-302 n in row 301, positions 304 a-304 n in row 303 and row 305 before placement of game pieces 21 in grid configuration 300. The player plays their assigned hand against the other players hands. Alternatively, a player can select a hand from grid configuration 300 before placement of game pieces 21 into position 302 a-302 n in row 301, positions 304 a-304 n in row 303 and row 305.

In one embodiment, one of the hands is assigned to the dealer and the players play their hands against the dealers hand. A player wins if their hand has the highest determined point value and the player earns a predetermined payout, as described above.

In an alternate embodiment, a bet is placed on one of game pieces 21 at one of positions 302 a-302 n after game pieces of row 301 are placed in grid configuration 300. Thereafter, a bet can be placed on game pieces 21 at one of positions 304 a-304 n after game pieces of row 303 are placed in grid configuration 300. Alternatively, the bet first placed on one of the game pieces of row 301 can be moved to one of the game pieces of row 303 after placement of game pieces 21 in row 303. A player wins if a bet was placed on a game piece which is included in a hand having the highest determined point value and the player wins a payout, as described above.

In an alternate embodiment, rows of game pieces are individually added to become a grid configuration 400, as shown in FIGS. 11A-11D. Game pieces 21 are placed in positions 402 a-402 n of row 401, as shown in FIG. 11A. Game pieces 21 are placed in positions 404 a-404 n of row 403, as shown in FIG. 11B. Game piece 21 is placed in center 414 of row 405, as shown in FIG. 11C. Row 401 is placed around outer circle 410 of grid configuration 400. Row 403 is placed around first inner circle 412 of grid configuration 400. Row 405 is placed in center 414 of grid configuration. Hands are formed of adjacent game pieces 21 in one or more rows 401, 403 and 405. For example, a hand of three cards can be formed of game pieces 21 at positions 402 a, 404 a and 414, or a hand of four cards can be formed of game pieces at positions 402 a, 402 b, 404 a and 414, as shown in dotted line.

In one embodiment, a bet is placed on one of game pieces 21 at position 402 a-402 n after game pieces of row 401 are placed in grid configuration 400. Thereafter, a bet can be placed on game pieces 21 at one of positions 404 a-404 n after game pieces of row 403 are placed in grid configuration 400. Alternatively, the bet previously placed on one of the game pieces of row 400 can be moved to one of the game pieces of row 403. A player wins if a bet was placed on a game piece which is included in a hand having the highest determined point value and the player wins a payout as described above.

In one embodiment, one or more outer circles 410 and/or inner circles 412 can spin in either direction, as shown by arrows A₁ and A₂ to move positions of one or more game pieces 21 to determine alternate hands, as shown in FIG. 11D. A player can spin as many times as they desire or a limit can be placed on the number of times a player spins. For example, a hand of three cards can be formed of game pieces 21 at positions 402 a, 404 n and 414 or a hand of four cards can be formed of game pieces at position 402 a, 402 n, 404 n and 414, as shown by dotted line. Bets can be placed on hands before or after spinning of outer circle 410 and/or inner circle 412.

The spin can randomly select the change of positions of one or more game pieces 21. Alternatively, a player can rotate outer circle 410 and/or inner circle 412 in either direction to selectively move positions of one or more game pieces 21 to determine alternative hands.

Game board 500 can be used with grid configuration 400, as shown in FIG. 12. Game board 500 includes one or more rotating portions 510 a-510 n. Rotating portions 510 a-510 n can rotate in either direction. Each of rotating portions 510 include a respective one of rows 401, 403, and 405. Center portions 512 include row 405 placed at the center of the grid. For example, game board 500 can be formed of plastic, wood, metal and similar materials for providing support of game board 500. After rotation of rotating portions 510 a-510 n, locking means 520 can be used to lock each of rotating portions 510 a-510 n in a position. Example locking means 520 include shaft 525 biased by spring 526 which can be locked before rotation of rotating portions 510 a-510 n and locked in place after rotation of rotating portions 510 a-510 n.

It is to be understood that the above-described embodiments are illustrative of only a few of the many possible specific embodiments, which can represent applications of the principles of the invention. Numerous and varied other arrangements can be readily devised in accordance with these principles by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

1. A method for playing a game comprising the steps of: a) placing game pieces in one or more rows to determine a grid configuration; b) selecting one or more hands of game pieces from the grid configuration; and c) determining a value for the selected hand in a first round.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the hand having the value which is highest is a winner.
 3. The method of claim 2 wherein one or more bets are placed on the selected hand before determining the value of a plurality of said hands and a payout is paid to the winner.
 4. The method of claim 3 wherein the payout is equal to an amount of the bet.
 5. The method of claim 3 wherein the payout is greater than an amount of the bet.
 6. The method of claim 1 wherein three game pieces are selected.
 6. The method of claim 1 wherein said grid configuration is assigned to each of said players before step (a).
 7. The method of claim 1 wherein a player selects said grid configuration before step (a).
 8. The method of claim 1 wherein a first said row contains one or more pairs of said game pieces and one of said game pieces is selected from said one or more pairs of game pieces and a second said row contains one said game pieces positioned adjacent each of said one or more pairs of said first row wherein in step (b) hands are formed by combining said selected game piece from said first row with the adjacent game piece of the second row.
 9. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of adding a common row of one of said game piece, said game piece of said common row is used in each of said one or more hands of game pieces of said grid configurations.
 10. The method of claim 9 wherein one or more bets are placed on one of said game pieces placed in said first row and a player wins if a bet was placed on a game piece which is included in a hand having a highest determined value in step (c).
 11. The method of claim 9 wherein one or more bets are placed on one of said game pieces placed in said second row and a player wins if a bet was placed on a game piece which is included in a hand having a highest determined value in step (c).
 12. The method of claim 9 wherein one or more of said bets are placed on one of said game pieces placed in said first row are moved to one or more of said game pieces placed in said second row and a player wins if a bet was placed on a game piece which is included in a hand having a highest determined value in step (c).
 13. The method of claim 9 wherein the first row is placed around an outside circle of grid configuration, the second row is placed around a first inner circle of the grid configuration, wherein the first inner circle is positioned inside said outer circle and said common row is placed at a center circle in the center of said first inner circle.
 14. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of spinning said outer circle and/or said inner circle in either direction.
 15. The method of claim 14 wherein a bet is placed on one of said hands before or after said step of spinning said outer circle and/or said inner circle.
 16. The method of claim 14 wherein said step of spinning is performed randomly to randomly change positions of said one or more game pieces.
 17. The method of claim 14 wherein said step of spinning is performed selectively to change positions of said one or more game pieces.
 18. The method of claim 1 wherein the game pieces are one or more cards of a deck of 52 cards, the value of the hand being matched to a value of a conventional card game.
 19. The method of claim 1 wherein the game pieces are one or more die, each face of the die is assigned a point value equaling the dots, the value of the hand being a total of the assigned point values for an upward face of each of the one or more die.
 20. The method of claim 1 wherein the game pieces are one or more Mah Jongg tiles, each type of Mah Jongg tile is assigned a point value being determined from symbols on the Mah Jongg tile, the value of the hand being a total of the assigned point values.
 21. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of said game pieces is placed in a face-up position and at least one of said game pieces is placed in a face-down position.
 22. The method of claim 1 wherein the game is played in a casino.
 23. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of operating the game on a video machine.
 24. The method of claim 1 further comprising operation the game through a data network.
 25. The method of claim 24 wherein the data network is the Internet.
 26. A device for playing a game comprising: a playing area having one or more first betting locations configured to receive one or more bets; and a dealer station having a grid configuration configured to receive game pieces in one or more rows.
 27. The device of claim 26 further comprising: a controller for selecting one or more positions in said grid configuration to determine a hand.
 28. The device of claim 26 wherein said controller comprises a video display having a touch surface marked with positions of game pieces in said grid configuration and after one of said positions of said game pieces in said grid configuration is selected with said controller, said corresponding one of said positions of game pieces in said grid configuration is marked on said touch surface is illuminated or marked.
 29. The device of claim 26 further comprising one or more second betting locations configured to receive one or more bets of a bonus feature.
 30. The device of claim 26 wherein said controller comprises a video display having a touch surface marked with positions of game pieces in said configuration and after one of said positions of said game pieces in said grid configuration is selected with said controller for a bonus feature said corresponding one of said positions of game pieces in said grid configuration is marked on said touch surface is illuminated or marked.
 31. The device of claim 26 further comprising: means for indicating positions in said grid configuration to form possible hands.
 32. The device of claim 26 wherein the betting locations and said dealer station are located on a gaming table.
 33. The device of claim 26 wherein the game is played in a casino.
 34. The device of claim 26 wherein the game is played on a video machine.
 35. The device of claim 26 wherein the game is played over a data network.
 36. The device of claim 35 wherein the data network is the Internet.
 37. The device of claim 26 wherein a first said row contains one or more pairs of said game pieces and one of said game pieces is selected from said one or more pairs of game pieces and a second said row contains one said game pieces positioned adjacent each of said one or more pairs of said first row wherein in the step (b) hands are selected by combining said game piece from said first row with said game piece of the second row positioned adjacent said selected game piece from said first row.
 38. The device of claim 26 wherein a first said row is placed around an outer circle of the grid configuration, a second said row is placed around an inner circle of the grid configuration, wherein the inner circle is positioned inside said outer circle and a common row is within said first inner circle.
 39. The device of claim 28 wherein said first row is positioned on a first rotating position which can rotate in either direction and said second row is positioned on a second rotating portion which can rotate in either direction.
 40. The device of claim 37 further comprising locking means for locking said first rotating portion and/or said second rotation portion after rotation. 